OHL News and Notes

By Brad Coccimiglio

November 15th, 2002

The past week in the Ontario Hockey League was a busyone for league officials and teams alike. As theleague was busy announcing the player of the week andother tidbits, a big trade went down in the WesternConference and 2 clubs were busy signing players.Here’s a look at the news and notes from the pastweek:

Signed, Sealed and Delivered: The Erie Otters and the Guelph Storm were busy last week as both teams signed players who were previously playing NCAA college hockey.

On Friday the Otters announced the signing of freeagent defenceman Matt Lynn. Lynn had been playing withBowling Green in the CCHA. Originally drafted by theSarnia Sting, the New Glasgow, Nova Scotia native,posted 2 assists in his freshman season butwas held scoreless this season before signing with theOtters. The 6’2″, 193-pound defenceman made his debutwith the Otters in their 6-3 loss to Windsor lastThursday night.

The Guelph Storm were also busy on Friday announcing the signing of sophomore centre Matt Ryan of Niagra University. The 18-year-old Ryan had 6 goals and 2 assists in 9 games with Niagra before signing with the Storm. Ryan made his debut with the Storm in last Thursday’s 1-1 tie with the Peterborough Petes.

Colaiacovo Reassigned: The Toronto Maple Leafsannounced on Monday that defenceman Carlo Colaiacovohas been returned to the Erie Otters. Colaiacovostarted the season with the Leafsseeing action in 2games picking up an assist. The 19-year-old isscheduled to be in the Otters lineup when they facethe Brampton Battalion at home on Friday night.

Big Week For Locke: Corey Locke of the Ottawa 67’s had a big week. Locke picked up 4 goals and 9 points in 3 games last week to earn himself OHL and CHL Player of the Week. Locke was also named the OHL and CHL Player of the Month. Locke had 27 points in 10 October games to earn the honour.

CHL Top 10 Rankings: The top 6 spots in the CHL Top 10 ranking remain unchanged from last week. The Red Deer Rebels (WHL) remain in top spot, with the Sarnia Sting (OHL) at #2, Val-d’or Foreurs (QMJHL) in 3rd spot, the Ottawa 67’s in 4th spot and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL) rounding out the top 5. The Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) remain in 6th. The Belleville Bulls (OHL) jump from the #10 spot last week to 7th this week. The Western League’s Kelowna Rockets moved up a spot from 9th to 8th. The final 2 spots are taken by teams that were unranked last week as the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) are in 9th spot and the Kitchener Rangers round out the top 10 in 10th spot.

Problem Solved: The Erie Otters solved theirgoaltending situation on Monday by dealing overagegoaltender Adam Munro to the Soo Greyhounds. The Otters were carrying 2 overage goaltenders in Munroand T.J. Aceti. In addition to Munro the Otters sent 19-year-old wingers Scott Dobben and Jeff Doyle to the Greyhounds. In exchange the Greyhounds sentunhappy forward Rob Hisey, who was leading the team inscoring at the time, 19-year-old forward Mike Melinkoand goaltender Dwight LaBrosse, who was picked up from Guelph in early October, to the Otters. Munro saw his first action with the Greyhounds in a Wednesday night win against the Sarnia Sting. BothDobben and Dyole saw action in the game. Doylefinished the game with an assist. Hisey, Melinko andLaBrosse will make their debuts with the Otters onFriday night when the Otters host the Brampton Battalion.